Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bsrosenfeld]

Hi all. I'll be taking my first trip to Thailand during summer break in August. I'm looking to skip past Bangkok and Phuket and head right to the islands. So far I'm looking at Kho Samui, Kho Phangan and Kho Tao.

Any recommendations for accommodations, dining, beaches, etc? I'm looking to rent a motorbike, cruise the islands and enjoy the beaches. Maybe a worthwhile excursion or two. Just excited to see some clean water!

Thanks for the help.

P.S. Also, is there anything special that I shouldn't pass up buying while I am there? I have heard about great tailors, but I'm not in need of any suits.

[waynehead]

I stayed at the Ark Bar Hotel when I was on Koh Samui, for about a week. It's a great place to meet people, it has sort of a hostel feel even tho it's a hotel (kinda, anyway). It has a really mixed crowd: young'uns fresh outta uni, beach bums, shifty eyed middle easterners, surly Aussies, old couples, you name it. And it's right across from all the action at the main beach (I can't remember the name, but it's the one close to the airport). My only complaint was that you couldn't swim out far from the beach, b/c the water was packed with seaweed and corals and whatnot. But I recommend it.

[conbon78]

You know that Phuket is an island, right?

With that said - that side of Thailand is awesome! The beaches are amazing on Ko Phi Phi and around there.

Ko Samui & Ko Phanagan are nice as well, but I didn't think they were AS nice as the other side. Also...don't bother booking a hotel ahead of time - just get it when you are there. It's really easy and there are plenty of them.

[BoholDiver]

I would like to see Koh Samui but I heard that all hotel and restaurant prices have skyrocketed to European prices. $10 a meal for Thai food and stuff like that. I can't confirm that.

I did a Phuket trip. It is a bit touristy but it's a nice island and a good time. If I could do it all over again, I would have stayed 1-2 nights on Phi Phi Don. The island is small but nice, lots of nice restaurants and bars, and a party on the beach every night.

PM if you wish. It's fresh in my memory.

[Drew345]

Just want to say your plan sounds great. All 3 Islands are great for what they offer.
Samui is really developed, but lots to do.
Tao is pretty much only for diving. Really developed dive industry there.
Phangan seems to have the best of it all to me. Don't waste too much time before getting to Phangan. You're going to have to go back to either Samui or Tao when you leave anyway.

Think about how to get there. You can train to Chumpon then boat to Tao. Or train to Surat Thani and boat to Samui. Or fly direct to Samui on Bangkok Airways.

The gulf side has less rain than Phuket / Phi Phi in August. Good choice.

[bsrosenfeld]

I found a flight from Bangkok to Kho Samui for $96usd. I arrive in Bangkok at 11:00pm on a Sunday and plan on sleeping in the airport until my flight to the islands at 6:00am on Monday. Anyone know if Bangkok Int'l will let me sleep there overnight?

Upon arriving in Samui I plan on taking a boat right to Phangan just in time for a half moon party. The rest of the trip is up in the air; just waiting to see where the wind blows me.

I do have 2 other questions:
- Any cheap places to get dive certified? I've found prices online for about $400usd for PADI open water, but that's a little too steep this time around.

- What's the best way to get back to Bangkok? If I save my pennies during my visit I might opt for another flight back to enjoy the islands for an extra day, but I'm not opposed to train or bus travel. Which island will I need to head to in order to get back to the mainland.

I really appreciate all of your help and insights.

[DeMayonnaise]

[Drew345]

Just don't get "stuck" in that part of Koh Phangan where the party is (Hat Rin). It looks like a big flea market (like Namdaemun market).
Like above said, you can get back to Bangkok from anywhere booking a boat, bus, train combo. You don't have to plan your return yet. Actually you save big by not flying back as you won't have to pay the Samui airport departure tax (well, not save big, but save big in principle).
I've never slept in the new airport, but slept in two or three others. Usually it is possible. I see people sleeping in the benches in front of the check-in counters, but there may be quieter places on the lower level of the airport.

[D.D.]

I did this trip a few years back. Dont be so cheap and sleep at the airport. If you can change your flight to arrive during day if you cant take a taxi to Koh san rd and get a cheap room for the night. Last thing you want to is walk around with all your stuff. Worst case hit up some bar area with lots of westerners and sit with your backpack and have some beers. If you have luggage get a hotel.

When you arrive on samui ( samui is expensive) keep going on to koh phangan and enjoy the party for full moon. Next day take a boat or hike in to a beach with a resort called the sanctuary and walk past the sanctuary and negotiate for a hut on the beach. I think this beach is called had tian.

When you want to leave take a boat over to a town and then they bus you to the train and you arrive in bangkok the next morning. Make sure you leave a day extra so you are not rushing the trip back to bangkok for your flight.

[Drew345]

This place is always advertising on craigslist as having rooms near the airport for only 250 Bt.

http://www.sananwan.com/HOME.html
http://bangkok.craigslist.co.th/sub/1814573176.html

But if you arrive at 11:00 PM, then leave the next morning at 6:00 AM, that's not a lot of time to have to wait. Waiting in the airport is probably just as easy. Still, that guesthouse could give you a bit more secure feeling.

I've done that 6:00 AM flight to Samui. The first and last flights of the day offer a big discount over the day time flights. Good choice.

[madtownhustl]

not trying to hijack but ive been reading about the full moon parties on koh phangan... ive been looking, and its hard to find a place to stay on that island... for the people who have been there, what did you do? sleep on the beach?!

[Sector7G]

[Sector7G]